Iran FM: Withdrawal Of Foreign Troops Helps Restore Afghan Security

Tehran, Nov 27, IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said here on Wednesday that withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in 2014 would play a pivotal role in restoration of security and tranquility to that country. Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with his Afghan counterpart Abdullah Abdullah who is currently here to participate in the 21st Meeting of the Council of Ministers of ten-member Economic Cooperation Organization. He said the pulling out of foreign troops from Afghanistan would pave the way for progress and prosperity of the country. Zarif also underlined that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in implementing joint projects in the fields of combating extremism and terrorism, drug trafficking and settling border issues. The Afghan minister, for his part, said Kabul is interested in expanding all-out ties with Tehran. The two sides also discussed avenues to bolster regional and multilateral cooperation in various fields of transportation, transit of goods, facilitating consulate services and expansion of cultural ties./end